Myanmar: Ethnic Safeguards and Gender Specialist

Background

In 2015, the Government of the Union of Myanmar received a grant from the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) to fund a project titled ‘Greater Mekong Sub-region Capacity Building for
HIV/AIDS Prevention’, which is funded by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction and
administered by ADB. The Project aims to increase coverage and quality of HIV/AIDS services,
support health system strengthening, and contribute to a better functioning health system through
staff training, improved information flow and reporting, and improved procurement and supply
management at central and township level. The geographical focus of the project is in the 5
townships of: Myawaddy, Hpa-an, Kawkareik (Kayin State), Mawlamyine (Mon State), Tachilek
(Shan State).
The Project has 4 key outputs: (1) strengthened planning and management capacity at national,
state and township levels; (2) enhanced capacity to provide quality and accessible services; (3)
improved access to community-outreach among target populations; and (4) monitoring and
project management. The implementing agency (IA) is the Department of Public Health’s,
National AIDS Program (NAP). Implementing partners (IP) have been contracted to deliver 3 of
the 4 outputs of the project. UNAIDS, implements Output 1, while IOM has been contracted to
meet deliverables under Outputs 2 and 3.
As an ADB requirement, the project is expected to follow ADB’s social and environmental
safeguard policies and guidelines. During the project design phase, the project was assessed and
was categorized as ‘Category B’ for indigenous people and ‘Category II’ for gender. On that
basis, a ‘Gender Action Plan’ and ‘Ethnics Safeguards Plan’ were developed for the overall
project and were included in the Grant Assistant Report for the project. The overall responsibility
for the implementation of both plans lies with the implementing agency, the NAP.
Given the technical complexity of the subject matter, there is an identified need to engage the
services of a suitably qualified ethnic and gender safeguards specialist (EGSS) to provide the IA
and its IP with support and capacity to implement, monitor and report on the project’s gender
action plan (GAP) and ethnics groups plan (EGP).
UNAIDS has been requested by the National AIDS Program to procure an independent
consultant to assist the project in meeting the needs of the Gender Action and Ethnics Safeguards
Plans. UNAIDS recommends that all interested applicants read the Grant Assistant Report:
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/46490/46490-001-gim-en.pdf for
background information on the project and the GAP and EGP.

Consultancy objectives

1. To conduct a comprehensive review of the projects existing EGP and GAP
2. To update both the EGP and GAP based on the present needs of the project, ensuring that
   they align to the ADB policies and guidelines
3. To support the NAP (IA) and implementing partners in the integration of activities from
   the EGP and GAP into all output activities
4. To provide guidance on EGP and GAP reporting
5. To build the capacity of the IA and IPs on ethnics safeguards and gender based on needs.
   Expected deliverables and timeline
   Objective Expected deliverables Timeline
6. Review EGP and GAP Completed a desk review of current GAP and
   EGP
   Consulted NAP, IP and ADB specialists
   Proposed revisions to GAP and EGP
   15 days
7. Update EGP and GAP Delivered revised EGP and GAP and seek
   once approval from ADB
   Revised all EGP and GAP reporting
   templates
   5 days
8. Implement EGP and GAP Provided guidance and contribute to NAP
   and IP in the implementation of the EGP and
   GAP
   100 days
9. EGP and GAP reporting IA, IPs and PMU compliant with quarterly
   reporting on EGP and GAP
10. Capacity building Delivered trainings, on-the-job coaching to
    IA, IPs and PMU
11. Other areas of support End of service report, 2 technical reports
    updating on progress
    Total days 120 days
    Reporting
    The consultant will work closely with the international institutional strengthening specialist and
    national institutional development consultants under the direct supervision of the UNAIDS
    Country Director. (S)he will work closely with staff of the NAP and the PMU, as well collaborate
    closely with members of the UCO, ADB, IOM and other key stakeholders.
    Required qualifications
    • A university degree and preferably a MA in gender and development, social sciences (or
    degrees that admit gender and social studies) or other relevant field
    • Ten years of experience in programme or project implementation involving gender,
    ethnic groups and development
    • Previous working experience with government agencies, INGO, NGOs and development
    partners in Myanmar supporting implementing gender and safeguards plans is required.Experience with public health and HIV treatment and care is required
    • A thorough understanding of Gender and Safeguard polices, practices and monitoring
    frameworks is required. Familiarity with ADB safeguards policies is preferred.
    • Myanmar in country experience is required
    • Fluency in English is required and fluency in Myanmar language is preferred.
    Duration of the assignment: 6 months maximum of 120 working days
    Duty Stations Yangon 50% with 50% field travel

Application process:

1. Complete all 4 documents below
   a. Cover letter
   b. UN P11 (Personal History Form)
   c. An updated and directed curriculum vitae that addresses the needs of this assignment
   d. A statement indicating your experience in ethnics and gender safeguards emphasizing your
   experience in health or HIV programmes.
2. Submit a financial proposal for the assignment
   Please outline your daily consultancy fee, note that in-country travel and perdiems will be
   covered by UNAIDS based on the UN standard perdiem rates. A budget for travel and perdiems
   is therefore not required.
3. Send your complete application package (letter, P11, CV, statement, financial proposal) to
   The Country Director, UNAIDS Myanmar, No. 137/1, Thanlwin Road, Kamayut Township,
   Yangon (Tel: +95 1 534498, 504832, 503816, 538087, 538938) or by email to
   myinta@unaids.org.4.
4. Selection of candidates
   All applications will be screened based on the contents of the 4 application documents noted
   above and considered against the financial proposal. An interview may be utilized by UNAIDS to
   help in the selection process, though it is not a requirement.
5. Please note that the deadline for application submission is 5pm 6 July 2018.